Flying With The Times

The last time I paid a visit to the pristine Loktak Lake, dubbed the largest freshwater lake in the whole of North-East India, was a good ten years ago. The National Integration Camp had just concluded in Imphal. Taking forward the bonding we had developed during the past few days, those of us from Imphal, Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts decided to extend the rendezvous. That’s how we landed in the midst of the beautiful environs. The expansive watermass besides providing home to the endangered Sangai served many other purposes. Many fisher-folks sustain themselves by the daily catch. It also act as an absorber of pollutants that is ever on the increase. Most notably, as I continue to relish the ambience of the place, I was struck by a thought. Sendra, the small hillock that house the Tourist Lodge and which also enable an almost complete view of the lake, was a downright inspiring and rejuvenating place to write. May be reason why there is so much romance in Manipuri writings. No wonder the much-loved Khamba-Thoibi story belongs here.

Those were the days when I hardly stepped out of home. The occasional trip to Imphal for filling up requisite forms for entrance test to the Regional Institute Of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and visit to my Aunt’s place were some citable mobility. Life for the most part was confined to Churachandpur, my hometown. Nevertheless, life was not that insipid. I was rather preoccupied with youth activities of the Church, causes espoused by philantrophic organisations and piling works at home. Of course, I had many things to read as well. My elder brother had accumulated a lot of stuffs worth reading and I made full use of them which stood me in good stead even today. Novels, Magazines, Comic-Books, Fornightlies, etc. Evening times were even better with a run in the football field where age matter less and much satisfaction derived from a good day of play. And as darkness settle in, the breeze of the countryside made one feel there couldn’t be better place on earth to be at that moment of time. Those were the days when one had to still go to school in uniform.

Shillong was cool and taking Biotechnology as a graduation subject was no fun. Whereas most friends at St. Anthony’s finished their classes by lunch time, those of us in the Science stream had to log it out till late hours. Something to do with the practicals and projects. The only silver-lining is that hard work became an ethic that has been imbibed. One very enriching experience was my stay in Stephen Hall, the college boys’ hostel. Almost 52 different ethnic communities from the seven states of North-East and elsewhere stayed at that point of time under the same roof. When the NAAC members came to accredit the college with a ‘4 Star’ grade, they were more than enthused and pleasantly surprised. Another poignant change was the climate. Home being quite the warm type and Shillong bordering on the chill. One more offshoot of the change of place was the nostalgia of being away from home and slight transition in lifestyle.

The pursuit of career brought me to the arid town of Hisar. A fledgeling University became my home for two momentous years. I was put to some real tests. Acclimatising myself to the burning heat was one. Gelling to an entirely new culture was another. Soon, my Hindi too, made a steady progress from incorrect mono-syllables to acceptable odd sentences. Duststorms from the Thar was quite a frequent visitor and everyone used to have a tough time once in a while. Among other things, I find it hard to erase my association with a person here. That of one of my teachers. From my first day in the Department, she donned the role of an elderly friend, mentor and guide. It was like finding an oasis in the mid of a desert. She reminded me of how, though scant, kindness and noble virtues continue to exist in this world. The study visit to Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Rohtang Pass, Manikaran, etc during my stay there was something with no reason to regret but only sweet memories to carry forward.

A senior Civil Servant who retired as Secretary to the Government Of India once asked me why people from North-East come mostly to Delhi for their higher education or other pursuits while there are many other cities and towns in India where the same needs could be met in equal measure. I told him, “ Sir, it’s not that people do not go to other places but Delhi is the preferred destination because it is the Capital of India”. He nodded, ‘’ That is a very good answer ”. At some point in history, all road headed towards Rome. It may not be that true but on similar lines, Delhi fed and bred me for the next many years. With Hamdard giving comfort and shelter, a short stint at AIIMS, and JNU and DU campuses being favourite weekend stop-overs, Delhi brought vigor and exuberance. Even now, home being far away, a visit to Delhi is like home-coming.

When I had to come to Nagpur to join the Academy, the cross-over from a homely boy to a somewhat widely-travelled fellow had made its impact. At least one full circle has been covered. I was not too overly worried about how to reach Nagpur and henceforth the Academy. I did try to get in touch with the Course Team and sent a mail too. When I found no NADT placards at the train station, I waited for a few more minutes but soon did not hesitate to come on my own. The auto wore a somewhat dilapidated look and I felt a little shy but that was just a passing moment. The food in the Bangalore Rajdhani gave me such a bad stomach I was not able to admire the campus on arrival. The reception at Lumbini and the Telecom Centre were the first to bear my footprints. Those were the initial days when it was not so comfortable to go to the Officers’ Mess alone. It did not remain so for long. Right from day one, the way things has been done ushered in a sense of belongingness.....a feeling of being in an extended family. Again in campus parlance, Taxing also has lively bouts of Intax. The Academy in no time became a ‘ home away from home ’ and as before, I go on “ Flying With The Times ”.

( This article was published in 'Akademi Kriti', the Annual Magazine of National Academy Of Direct Taxes, Nagpur )